Retinal array compound camera system

• US 7,893,957 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2002
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VI Technologies, LLC (VI GP LLC (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence GP LLC))
• Original Assignee: Visual Intelligence LP (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence LP) (VI GP LLC (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence GP LLC))
• Inventors: Smitherman, Chester L., Peters, Leo J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALLEN C
• Application Number:
  US10/229,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20040041914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,100 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/42, 348/47, 348/48, 348/51, 348/57, 348/50, 348/144, 359/472, 356/606, 396/12, 396/427, 382/312, 244/1.R
• US Class Current: 348/144
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/025 by scanning the object
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

The present invention provides a camera system having a compound array of imaging sensors disposed in a retinal configuration. The system preferably comprises a concave housing. A first imaging sensor is centrally disposed along the housing. At least one secondary imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor. The focal axis of the second imaging sensor, in the preferred embodiment, intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within an intersection area.

Claims

1. A retinal array compound camera system for producing an image of a target, comprising:

a housing adaptably mountable to a vehicle, wherein the housing has an aperture formed in the housing surface between at least two imaging sensors and a target image, and wherein the aperture is selected from a group consisting of a void, a screen, a window and an optical device not including a lens;

a first imaging sensor having a first lens, disposed within the housing, and having a first focal axis;

at least one second imaging sensor having at least a second lens, disposed within the housing in a concave or retinal configuration and offset from the first imaging sensor in an cross track, cross-eyed fashion, and having at least a second a focal axis, wherein the focal axes pass through the aperture.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first imaging sensor is centrally disposed within the housing.

3. The system of claims 1, wherein the focal axes intersect within an intersection area.

4. The system of claims 1, wherein the focal axes intersect at the target.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors are coupled to the housing in at least two arrays.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the arrays are parallel to each other.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein there are at least two arrays, a first array that is centrally coupled to the housing, and secondary arrays that are offset from the first array and angled so that the focal points of the first array and the secondary array coincide on the target.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the arrays extend radially from a central point.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors are coupled to a dome in the housing.

10. The system of claims 1, wherein an intersection area is located along at least one focal axis and at a location from the aperture of the housing to before the target.

11. A retinal array compound camera system for producing an image of a target viewed through an aperture, comprising:

a housing adaptably mountable to a vehicle, wherein the housing has an aperture formed in the housing surface between at least two imaging sensors and a target image, and wherein the aperture is selected from the group consisting of a void, a screen, a window and an optical device not including a lens; and

at least two imaging sensors coupled to the housing in a concave or retinal configuration in an cross track, cross-eyed fashion, each imaging sensor producing a portion of the image, each having a focal axis passing through the aperture, and each imaging sensor having a different lens.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the focal axes intersect within an intersection area.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the focal axes intersect at the target.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein an intersection area is located along at least one focal axis and at a location from the aperture of the housing to before the target.